Will repairs be completed on time?
This morning I attended a meeting of GMPTA’s Transport Network Committee. The most interesting part of the meeting was discussion of the Metrolink track upgrades. Apparently the number of complaints about the replacement bus service has been much less than anticipated, which is great news. And having experienced the buses myself, it is no surprise - I freely admit that my worries about the service are unfounded and that on the whole it is working well.
However, there is a noticeable disparity between the story being told by officers of the PTE, and the story I’m being told as a Councillor as regards the likelihood of the track repairs beijng completed on time. The officers seem fairly relaxed, but I have been sent a letter explaining that Carillion (the contractors carrying out the work), have asked for 24/7 access to the tracks to make the repairs in time!
I don’t see why the repairs should take longer than necessary, if the original estimates were based on accurate data. Carillion are blaming the weather - first for being too wet to do much of the work, and now for being too hot to test the tracks during the day! It seems odd that they want it both ways, especially since weather does tend to be hot in August, and it hasn’t been unusually so. I do hope that the original estimates weren’t made purposely short just to ensure that we selected them to carry out the work…
If you live near the Met line and have a view on whether you want the work on the track happening through the night, do get in touch!
Rick
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